I’m terrified at the prospect of choosing a purse for the woman in my life. But I have great confidence when it comes to selecting a camera bag for a fellow photographer. Why? Because the Lowepro 2012 Holiday Gift Guide helps me find and purchase exactly the right item.

First, I begin by choosing “type of photographer”: Outdoor & Adventure, Street Scene & Events, Travel Internationally, or Capture Family Memories. Once I match the category to my gift recipient, I have 3-5 different bags to select from, complete with multiple views of the bag, specs for what it will hold, and background information about its intended use. If I see something I like, I can purchase it right on the spot.

As you’re perusing the gift guide, I have a few additional tips to ensure the perfect selection.

1. Personal Space vs Camera Space – Some bags are designed to maximize space for camera gear while others allow for more personal item storage. Think about how your photographer works, and shop accordingly. For example, a DSLR Video Fastpack 250 AW has an entire top area dedicated to personal space. Whereas the Urban Photo Sling is more for camera gear and tablet (both found under Travel Internationally).
2. iPad Storage – Speaking of tablets, if your recipient loves the iPad or equivalent tablet, then make sure there’s a dedicated space for it. The Photo Hatchback 22L AW for example (illustrated here) includes a dedicated tablet sleeve, whereas the outdoorsy Photo Sport 200 AW does not.
3. Color is Important – Some photographers insist on black for their bags while others enjoy a splash of color. Take a look at the travel gear your shooter uses, and try to find a solution that complements.
4. All Weather or Fair Weather – Rainstorms are calling cards for outdoorsy types. But your photographer my be more of a fair weather artist. If rain is in the forecast, then make sure the bag has an All Weather (AW) cover.
5. One Shoulder or Two – Backpacks distribute the weight across both shoulders, but have slower access, while sling and messenger bags rest on one shoulder with quicker access. Think about how your photographer typically works.

With a few minutes of exploration, you should be able to determine the perfect camera bag as a gift. Good luck, and happy holidays!

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

Aside from how wonderful the material feels, my favorite feature of the Pro Messenger 200 AW is its discrete looks (and sounds). When I’m working in the city with the Messenger riding my hip, it looks like a stylish multifunctional bag. Once I get to my assignment, I can switch from “security mode” to “silent mode” and open the top flap without drawing the attention of those around me.

Inside it can transport a pro DSLR with grip and attached zoom lens, plus two extra lenses and a flash in main compartment — or a pro DSLR with grip and attached 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lens (facing sideways), plus a flash in main compartment. The front pouch is roomy enough to stow not one, but two DSLR bodies without lens attached (or the new Canon 40mm pancake).

When I arrive for a job, I like to make a good first impression. The Pro Messenger 200 AW certainly makes the statement I want.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

The Event Messenger shoulder bag is stylish, low profile, and perfect for a day of shooting in the city. I typically carry an iPad, Camera Connection Kit, Canon 60D with 15-85mm zoom, and a handful of accessories. The dedicated tablet sleeve keeps the iPad secure, but accessible while on the go.

And now the Event Messenger (all 3 sizes) is available in black as well as Mica. With either style, you’ll look great as you duck into a coffee shop to transfer your pictures to the tablet, then post your favorites online. Here’s the workflow I typically use with my Event Messenger 150.

One other very nice thing about the Event Messenger: it’s affordable. I’ve seen the 150 model selling in the neighborhood of $65 US, and the larger 250 model around $75 US. Check one out next time you’re visiting your local photo specialty store.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

On the outside, the Lowepro Lens Exchange Case 100 AW looks like a stylish, functional, photo accessory that any photographer would want. But inside, it can hold so many things. Here are 10 of my favorites.

What will you put in your Lens Exchange Case 100 AW?

1) A Medium Zoom

It easily holds my Canon 24-105mm f/4 L zoom lens.

2) A Wide Zoom

No problem for the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L zoom either.

3) A Macro Lens

Hey, don’t forget about the 100mm macro. That’s a fun one!

4) Your Flash

Oh, I guess I should bring the flash tonight.

5) A Spare Body

Wow, the Digital Rebel fits too. I should put the 40mm pancake on it so it’s ready to shoot if I need a back-up.

6) A Compact System Camera

Maybe I should pack my Compact System Camera instead. I might draw less attention that way.

7) Photo Accessories

Love these little GorillaPods for positioning off-camera flashes in difficult locations.

8) Audio Accessories

Oh man, have to shoot video tonight. Don’t forget the mic!

9) Snacks

Kindergarten class photos… Oh no!

10) Refreshments

A drink sounds really good right now…

So is the Lowepro S&F Lens Exchange Case 100 AW our most versatile storage solution? Possibly. But before you decide, you might want to visit S&F landing page to see all of the great accessories in this pro modular system.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

On trade show days, I usually get to work about 30 minutes before the doors open to the public. It’s interesting on the floor then. Everything is so calm.

The Lowepro booth minutes before the doors open at Photokina.

Lowepro employees are straightening the bags, checking the audio/visual, and making sure that everyone is prepared to answer the hundreds of questions that will be asked over the next eight hours. It takes stamina.

Fortunately, Photokina is also the best of all events to work. Unlike other shows, where you don’t even have a place to stash your bag while you’re manning the booth, the Lowepro space is very large with an meeting area in the center.

The center of the Lowepro booth at Photokina is the meeting area. This is when much business is conducted. It also provides a comfortable break room for employees.

This multifunctional area allows for many meetings to be scheduled at the same time. That’s very important for an international show such as Photokina when we have business partners from all over the world in town for just a week. It also provides a space for employees to take a break during long days on the show floor. This shot of the meeting area is actually 3 frames stitched together to give you a better idea of how big the space really is.

Then, once the doors open to the public, the excitement begins to build. This is our opportunity to meet with you. Not only do we get to show you the latest products that we’re proud of, we get to hear about your work and the support you need to get the job done. These conversations are an important part of the trade show experience.

Once the doors open to the public, the real fun begins.

I hope you get the chance to visit with us at an event some day. After Photokina, we’ll be setting up shop in New York in October for PhotoPlus Expo. If you’re in town, I hope you stop by to say hello.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

If you’re not tempted by the latest offerings at Photokina by Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Panasonic, Hasselblad, or Samsung, then you’re probably not a gear head. And fortunately for us at Lowepro, that was not the situation in our booth today.

Tim Grimmer demos the Photo Hatchback during a video recorded interview.

Photographers from all over the world stopped by to see which bags best protected their gear. We fitted big DSLRs with grips, mirrorless compacts, and just about everything in between. The feeling was, if you have a new camera, we have just the right bag for you.

Here are a few of my recommendations:

Overnight Outdoor Adventure – I’d go with the new Rover Pro 45L AW. It’s our best offering for pro camera and overnight backpacking gear. And it is so comfortable.

Favorite Multi-Use Backpack – Have you tried the Photo Hatchback 22L? It features a dedicated sleeve for an iPad, removable camera box, mid-compartment floor that folds down and opens up the entire interior, and two side mesh pockets. Great for cameras, and terrific without.

The Perfect “It Doesn’t Look Like a Camera Bag” Bag – The new Pasport Sling II holds your medium-sized DSLR or mirrorless compact… and lots of other stuff too. I even got my jacket in there today. If you want to be comfortable and “off the photo radar” while on the go, take a look at the Passport Sling II

Checking out the removable camera boxes in the Rover Pro.

Speaking of the Passport Sling II, I discovered today that it holds all sorts of stuff, including a packed lunch, clean diapers, and a box of business cards. Like I said, if you’re in Cologne, Germany this week, bring your stuff. We’ll find a bag for you.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

If you go off specs alone, the Lowepro Magnum 650 AW measures 19.3W X 14.2D X 13.2H in. (49 X 36 X 33.5 cm). But those are just numbers. How about the fact that you can fit 3 Event Messenger 150s or 2 Pro Messenger 180 AWs inside and close the lid?

Now, that’s storage space.

Magnum 650 (top) can hold 3 Event Messengers (middle)
or 2 Pro Messengers (bottom).

Let’s open the top flap and see what we see. Notice that lens inside? That’s a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 standing on end. Looks like there’s some room left over.

You can lay your 15.4″ widescreen laptop across the top. The Magnum even includes a computer case to protect it. Then add 1-2 Pro DSLRS (with the 70-200 F2.8 attached if that’s more convenient), plus 8-10 lenses… and still have room for plenty of accessories.

The Magnums are designed to stack on a rolling cart. So if you have *lots* of gear, you can easily move as many bags as you need from point A to point B.

So how big is the Magnum 650 AW? Big.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.